Retired General Lloyd Austin, US President-elect Joe Biden's candidate for the Pentagon, said that he would "cleanse the ranks of the army of racists and extremists," and would strengthen the US alliances to confront China.
During a Senate session to discuss his candidacy, Austin added that he would work hard to eliminate sexual assault, rid the army of racists and extremists, and create an environment in which everyone who is qualified and has the desire to find the opportunity to serve this country with honor.
He stressed that Iran represents a threat to America's allies in the Gulf region and to the US forces stationed there.
"If Iran gets a nuclear capability at any time, it will be more difficult to deal with it about any problem in the region because of that," he added.
And the American Associated Press reported that Austin would be the first black defense minister, if his appointment was approved by the US Senate.
The agency indicated that the ratification of Austen’s candidacy as defense minister "is not a certain thing," pointing out that MPs and national security experts have declared their opposition to this designation, since his retirement period is still less than 7 years.
And Congress relies on the rule that any former military candidate to take over the Department of Defense must have retired at least 7 years.
In addition to his leadership of US forces upon the invasion of Baghdad, Austin headed the US Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM) between 2013 and 2016.
He also oversaw the implementation of former US President Barack Obama's decision to withdraw 50,000 American soldiers from Iraq in 2011.